Sustain Life!
A Festival of Hope

A definition and description of family homesteading, enumerating the benefits and need as well as an assessment of the current agricultural situation and why small-scale diversified family farming is restorative and can provide healthy, sustainable food, families and communities.

An introduction to producing your own healthy food in your own backyard or on your own farm, naturally and sustainably.

An introduction to raising your own chickens, ducks, geese and turkeys and how they are an integral part of a healthy homestead.

A seminar on the need for keeping bees as an essential part of a homestead both for a source for honey and pollination.

A discussion of the process of composting and why it is an essential component of a healthy garden or farm.

A presentation on the vital role of healthy, biologically active soil as the foundation of a garden or farm. Healthy soil=healthy
plants=healthy people.

How to raise a cow to provide milk and meat for your family emphasizing how a milk cow is a central part of a healthy and sustainable farm.

A discussion on the health and environmental benefits of raising animals on grass as well as an explanation on how to begin raising your own grass-fed animals.

How to raise, harvest and prepare culinary herbs.

An introduction explaining the benefits of saving your own seed.

How to raise small grains such as wheat, oats and corn on your farm as well as how to harvest, process and preserve these grains.

A discussion of specific ways in which a culture rooted in the goals of sustainability provides the context in which all members of the community, young and old, can live rich and meaningful lives that maintain a sense of purpose, integrity and dignity.

An introduction on how to raise sheep, goats and alpacas for fiber.

An overview of the essential skills of canning, drying, freezing and fermenting food.

An introduction and demonstration on making soft and hard cheese from your own cow or goat in your own kitchen.

A seminar with demonstrations on baking bread from whole grains including an explanation on artisan bread baking.

An overview of how to make soap in your own kitchen.

How to develop a water supply for your homestead including a discussion of wells, ponds, streams and rainwater harvesting.

A seminar explaining the role of crafts in supporting agriculture and how crafts can become a viable home business.

A seminar with demonstrations on hand tool woodworking.

A seminar with demonstrations on how to spin and weave natural fibers raised on the farm.

A seminar on the possibilities of sewing, spinning and weaving for your family’s clothing needs.

A seminar on basketry and the necessary role of baskets on a family farm.

Children should be an integral part of a family farm. This seminar presents how to involve your children in the daily care of farm animals with an emphasis on safety and responsibility.